HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - PC - 2019.07.22BURLINGAME CITY HALL
501 PRIMROSE ROAD
BURLINGAME, CA 94010
City of Burlingame
Meeting Minutes
Planning Commission
7:00 PM Council ChambersMonday, July 22, 2019
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Staff in attendance: Community Development Director Kevin
Gardiner, Senior Planner Catherine Barber, and City Attorney Kathleen Kane.
2. ROLL CALL
Sargent, Comaroto, Terrones, and TsePresent4 -
Kelly, Gaul, and LoftisAbsent3 -
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Draft June 24, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Draft June 24, 2019 Planning Commission Meeting MinutesAttachments:
Commissioner Terrones made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Comaroto, to approve the
meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye:Sargent, Comaroto, Terrones, and Tse4 -
Absent:Kelly, Gaul, and Loftis3 -
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Item 8a has been continued to a future date.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS, NON-AGENDA
There were no public comments.
6. STUDY ITEMS
There were no Study Items.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no Consent Items.
8. REGULAR ACTION ITEMS
a.Amendments to Interim Zoning Standards for the North Burlingame Mixed Use (NBMU)
and Rollins Road Mixed Use Zones (RRMU). Staff Contact: Kevin Gardiner THIS ITEM
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July 22, 2019Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
HAS BEEN CONTINUED TO A FUTURE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - DATE
TO BE DETERMINED
This item has been continued to a future date.
9. DESIGN REVIEW STUDY
a.725 Plymouth Way, zoned R -1 - Application for Design Review and Special Permit for
declining height envelope for a first and second floor addition to an existing single family
dwelling. (James Stavoy, applicant and architect; Heather and David Sanchez, property
owners) (138 noticed) Staff Contact: 'Amelia Kolokihakaufisi
725 Plymouth Way - Staff Report
725 Plymouth Way - Attachments
725 Plymouth Way - Plans
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. There were no ex-parte communications to report.
Senior Planner Keylon provided an overview of the staff report.
Questions of staff:
>Paragraph D of Code Section 25.26.075(b)(3) is merely qualifying the exemption in paragraph B, not
the Declining Height Envelope requirements, or whether a Special Permit is allowable, correct? (Keylon:
Correct.)
>Why is a protected tree permit required for a Pittosporum, since it's a shrub and not a tree? (Keylon: It
is based on the size of the shurb. It is multi -trunked species .)(Kane: It is the circumference
measurement.)
Chair Comaroto opened the public hearing.
Jim Stavoy represented the applicant, with property owner David Sanchez.
Commission Questions/Comments:
>Why is the tree removal associated with the project? Is it necessary for the project? (Stavoy: Addition
would be close enough to the drip line to necessitate removal of the tree.)
>Did you look at any other options that further articulated the west elevation? It is a little flat. (Stavoy:
Thought this design would flow with the look of the structure.)
>How was the grid pattern articulation of the windows around the house determined? Should extend the
grids all around the house. (Stavoy: Based on discussion with staff, and owners' preference.)
> Why not use the Declining Height Envelope exemption for the window over the stairwell? (Stavoy:
Was not aware of that possibility.)
>Did you consider a lower plate height on the second story to reduce the encroachment into the
Declining Height Envelope? (Stavoy: It's at 6 feet so it is already very low.)
>There is a 6-inch setback on the right side shown on the plans. Is the entire right side moving 6
inches away from property line? (Stavoy: Indicating from the survey that the house is within 6 inches of the
4-foot setback.)
>Why does the the second floor match the existing nonconforming setback, rather than set back to
the required 4 feet? (Stavoy: Thought that was allowed as part of the special permit.)
>To staff: Why is a variance not required for the second floor, since it is proposed to be built above the
existing non-conforming setback? (Keylon: Will need to review the particulars of the Code and get back
with a response.)
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>Has the window alignment on the second floor been considered? (Stavoy: Believes there are not
windows looking into neighbor's house. Can frost some windows.)
Public Comments:
Jeannie Bosley, 729 Plymouth Way, to the right of the subject property: Submitted letter and photos, and
letter from realtor. Opposes the project as presented. Concern with non -compliance with Declining Height
Envelope; bookend metaphor is interesting but should not be applied here. Does not believe the Code
allows for a Declining Height Envelope encroachment in this instance. Also objects to extending from the
original footprint of the home.
Shiela Jambekar and Sean Moran: Lives across the street. Supports the quality of the design, keeps with
the character of the community. Will be a nice view. Keeps a look that is consistent with the
neighborhood. There are a lot of remodels in the neighborhood.
Cheri Meyers, 438 Cumberland: Lives diagonally across from the property. Supports the project. Plan is
consistent with the neighborhood, and reflects themes that make Burlingables special.
David Sanchez (property owner): Respects the perspective of all of the neighbors, including the adjacent
neighbor. Believes this will be an investment in the neighborhood and community.
Chair Comaroto closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
>Design guidelines emphasize adding the second story into the roof structure so it minimizes impact to
the neighbors. This does more of that than most.
>West elevation is very blank and flat. Perhaps change the dormers or add more detail. Stepping the
wall in might add some nice detail.
>Should revisit the window grids.
>Would want to see what would be involved in an addition that did not involve the declining height
envelope.
>Has allowed special permits in similar instances. However sees some revisions in terms of the design
guidelines. Special permits are to accommodate particular architectural treatments. Front faceprint is
typical of the neighborhood. Side elevation is more typical of a driveway elevation but does not have the
relief of the driveway width.
>Needs to clarify the setback of the second story, whether it needs a variance.
>Front facade is consistent with the neighborhood, but side elevation needs attention.
>This is not the only way to design the house. Should look at a less impactful declining height
encroachment.
Commissioner Terrones made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sargent, to place the item
on the Regular Action Calendar when plans have been revised as directed. The motion carried
by the following vote:
Aye:Sargent, Comaroto, Terrones, and Tse4 -
Absent:Kelly, Gaul, and Loftis3 -
b.2601 Easton Drive, zoned R -1 - Application for Design Review and Special Permit for
declining height envelope and attached garage for a new, two -story single family dwelling
with an attached garage. (Gary Diebel, Diebel and Company | Architects, applicant and
architect; Liz and Debanjan Ray, property owners) (90 noticed) Staff Contact: 'Amelia
Kolokihakaufisi
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July 22, 2019Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
2601 Easton Dr - Staff Report
2601 Easton Dr - Attachments
2601 Easton Dr - Plans
Attachments:
All Commissioners had visited the property. There were no ex-parte communications to report.
Senior Planner Keylon provided an overview of the staff report.
There were no questions of staff.
Chair Comaroto opened the public hearing.
Gary Diebel represented the applicant, with property owners Liz and Debanjan Ray.
Commission Questions/Comments:
>Massing is well articulated and broken down. Why are all the roofs hip roofs? Why no gables? (Diebel:
Studied both. Hip roofs seemed to work the best, minimizes the mass.)
>Rear elevation has a lot of charm, front seems a bit bare. Some gable roofs would allow more
decorative elements.
>Have you considered a stained wood door for the garage door to provide depth? (Diebel: That has
been proposed, both on the garage door and entry door.)
>Would like more of the decorative items in the front.
>Is the face of the proposed garage in the same plane as the current garage? (Diebel: Many are built at
15 feet since it is a steep hill. This garage is at about 25 feet.)
>On left elevation where there are a couple of cantilevered sections, there is a window over the shower
in the center section of the elevation that is offset, almost calling attention for more detail or decoration
since it is a projection. Maybe the window should be centered or balanced somehow.
>How large is the deck off the kitchen? (Diebel: Approximately 20' x 19'.)
Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Chair Comaroto closed the public hearing.
Commission Discussion:
>Steep slope indicates a need for declining height envelope relief.
>Look at adding more charm to the front elevation.
>Busy roofline, almost every part of the house has its own roof form. Could simplify. Also consider
some gable roofs, which is more typical of original 1920's and 30's Spanish Revival style houses in this
neighborhood, and of the period.
>Note on plan indicates wood or stucco brackets; should specify wood.
>Tree removal is supportable given it is growing into the house.
>Existing front elevation is simple but has nice details; should try some of those types of elements on
the new house.
>Would like some reference to neighbors, particularly those on the left, to make sure they are OK and
windows are not aligned.
>Garage is set back so is not in the face of the neighbor.
>Cognizant of the deck being close to the neighbors. Assumes entertaining since it is from the
kitchen. Suggest some shrubbery to screen for the neighbors.
Commissioner Sargent made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Terrones, to place the item
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July 22, 2019Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
on the Regular Action Calendar when plans have been revised as directed. The motion carried
by the following vote:
Aye:Sargent, Comaroto, Terrones, and Tse4 -
Absent:Kelly, Gaul, and Loftis3 -
10. COMMISSIONER’S REPORTS
There were no Commissioners Reports.
11. DIRECTOR REPORTS
a.4 La Mesa Court - FYI for proposed changes to a previously approved Design Review
application.
4 La Mesa Ct - Memorandum and Attachments
4 La Mesa Ct - Plans
4 La Mesa Ct - Renderings
Attachments:
This item was pulled since there was a written request from a member of the public. Commissioners cited
concern with enlargement and additions of any windows.
12. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Note: An action by the Planning Commission is appealable to the City Council within 10 days of the
Planning Commission's action on July 22, 2019. If the Planning Commission's action has not been
appealed or called up for review by the Council by 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2019, the action becomes
final. In order to be effective, appeals must be in writing to the City Clerk and must be accompanied by
an appeal fee of $1,045 which includes noticing costs.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Planning Commission regarding any item on
this agenda will be made available for public inspection during normal business hours at the
Community Development/Planning counter, City Hall, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California.
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